FORT PAYNE, Ala. (AP) — After stealing beer from a store in Fort Payne, police say a hammer-wielding suspect fatally crashed his vehicle during a chase with officers.

Police Chief Randy Bynum tells AL.com 25-year-old Joshua Grant, of Altoona, was pronounced dead at the scene early Tuesday morning after he crashed with an aluminum light and struck a curb in front of the Fort Payne fire station.

Bynum says Grant’s vehicle, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, went airborne and crashed into a nearby building.

Before the crash, the chief says Grant entered the South End Market, smashed the beverage cooler door with a hammer and took a carton of beer.

Officers spotted Grant’s vehicle speeding when they were responding to a call about the theft.